View full sizeDavison City Council members approved a Sept. 9 public hearing for residents to give their opinion on a potential backyard chicken ordinance. MLive.com File Photo

DAVISON, MI – City Council members approved a motion Monday, July 7 to go forth with a September public hearing on ordinance changes that would allow residents to house chicken in their backyard.

A Monday, Sept. 9 public hearing has been scheduled to discuss the ordinance changes, but City Manager Michael Hart did confess some hesitation about the move after receiving information from the city attorney that he said could change the discussion.

A $25 two-year permit -- instead of five years -- would be required for anyone wanting chickens, following an application process that would include a sketch of the location and design of each proposed coop. The number of hens was changed from eight to six to no more than four. No roosters would be allowed under the regulations.

Coops set up at homes would have to be cleaned for “odor” created by waste matter, according to a newly constructed requirement, with the refuse contained in bins for pickup or used for compost. Members of the committee noted they would have to check with Republic, the city’s waste management service, on the stipulation.

Hart said he would like to present his findings after discussions with the city attorney before any action moves forward, as other municipalities have struggled with how to properly regulate such an ordinance in terms of planning, as well as building and code enforcement.

Councilman Gary Peppin, who also sits on the policy committee, said the discussion will continue and no agreement has been reached at this point and time, but he agreed with fellow Councilman Jack Abernathy that part of the initial discussion was to get feedback from the public about the issue.

“We’re still working on it right now,” said Peppin, who also sits on the city’s policy committee. “There’s a lot to it and we’re just making sure everybody is comfortable with the game plan.”

Residents that did not follow each of the requirements in terms of number, waste, slaughtering, property line distances, care and prohibition of eggs or meat for commercial purposes could be issued a citation and have their permit revoked.

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